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Would you recommend the product? Yes |
Total Spent: None indicated| Rating: 10

Pros:

Optical quality is superb - even wide open; unique FL range; MFD is only 11.5 feet; power zoom is great for framing/composition;

Cons:

It's a carry on item unless you are willing to risk checking it... not likely! Will fit in a Pelican 1510 carry on. It's a heavier lens.

Brilliant, even on digital: I highly doubt I will ever part with this lens. The FA* 250-600/5.6 is definitely better than the Sigma 500/4.5 EX DG APO lens I used. This heavier lens - like any larger super telephoto - requires top shelf tripod and gimbal head to bring out the best images. I have a Gitzo GT3541XLS, Wimberley WH-200 gimbal head and Wimberley P-50 lens plate - three screws hold the almost 7" long plate to the tripod collar foot. I've not really tried it on a monopod yet, but I now have a Wimberley C-10 QR clamp to mount on my monopod so I am looking forward to seeing it in action.

It's a fantastic lens. This is by far the better lens of choice and the MFD kicks the competition around by a good margin. Most 600/4 lenses start at 15.5 feet and go up - that's the lowest in class of any 600mm - next 600mm is 15 feet - great for shooting in a blind/hide. Only Nikon's newest 600/4 is on par with the FA* 600/4 in that aspect. Having a max. aperture of F/5.6 is but a small trade off for it's flexibility. When the light is getting that low, it's becoming a compromise anyway. All wrapped up into a unique FL zoom.

What's astounding is that the FA* 250-600/5.6 is unbelievably sharp even wide open throughout the entire FL range. The proof is in the images I have taken with it. If it's a tad soft at 600mm wide open, then that is an issue with the photographer's technique, nothing more. This is another example of the pinnacle of Pentax optical engineering mastery.